Now Browning was ready to nail the ball, and he hit the very next one pitched. The ball went past Batch like a streak and out over second. Frank dusted to third and Ready sent him home.
The center-fielder had stopped the ball and thrown to second. The baseman there whirled and drove the ball to the plate, but he was a moment too late, and Frank had scored.
Browning took second on the throw to the plate.
“Now, we’re in the game!” cried Ready. “That’s the kind of work! Keep it up!”
The crowd cheered and cheered.
Swiftwing was the next batter, and he drove the ball hard. It looked like a hit, and Browning went for third. When it was too late, Ready saw the ball would be caught. He tried to turn Bruce back, but O’Grady got the ball and threw it to second, thus making a double play.
Batch had a return of confidence when he saw Rattleton face him, and he proceeded to strike Harry out in short order. But the Merries had the lead.
Could they hold it?
Again Frank went into the box, and again his support was of the finest order. He did not strike out a man, but the first three men up went out in order, two flying to the outfield and one being thrown out at first by Dick.
Dick was the first one to come to bat in the last of the third. Batch thought the boy must be easy, and he put a swift one right over.